Here at Upstream Parent, we spend a lot of time talking about how parents can protect their teens from drinking by reducing access to alcohol at home, setting clear rules and consequences, and communicating your expectations to your teen. But did you know that there are other ways you can protect your teen from substance use—and they are a lot easier, less awkward, and way more fun than sitting your teen down for a talk!
Research shows that teens who are offered opportunity to participate in family activities, praised by their parents, and feel they are a valued member of their family are less likely to use alcohol and other drugs.
You might be thinking—but my teen doesn’t want to spend time with me! However, our survey of over 1,800 7th-12th graders in Cortland County shows that over 80% of Cortland County teens enjoy spending time with their mother and father. So even if they roll their eyes when you suggest family activities—that doesn’t mean they won’t enjoy it!
Here are some ideas for your next family day:
#1: Get Outside
Spending time outside with your teen in a low stress environment is a great way to connect and have open conversations without the pressure of sitting down for “a talk.”
Trash Cleanup: Plan a day where you walk around the streets in your neighborhood and pick up trash. This is a great way to facilitate discussions on environmentalism or other topics your teen is passionate about big or small!
Hike: There are so many great hikes in Central New York. Have your teen help with planning by downloading the All Trails app and have them pick a hike that fits your family’s ability levels. Suggestions: Tinker Falls, Lime Hollow Trail System, and the Groton Trail Loop.
Pressed Plants: Collect plants near your house, press them in a book for a week or so, and then display them in a frame or on a greeting card. Task your teen with identifying what the plants are!
#2: Get Cooking
The kitchen is a perfect place to give your teen some responsibility and teach them important life skills, all well spending quality time together.
Crockpots: Crockpots are such an easy first appliance for your teen to try out. Have them research recipes and go shopping for the ingredients. This activity is a win win as you’ll come home from work with the glorious smell of a finished dinner!
Charcuterie Boards: Charcuterie boards are great for artistic teens (or those who want to get a great pic for social media). Not two charcuterie boards are ever the same. Ingredients can include; meats, pickles, cheeses, fruits, nuts, jams and the list goes on!
Mocktails: Model responsible alcohol use for your teen at your next BBQ and provide guests with fun alcohol free drinks. Pick up juices, fruits, seltzers, and sodas and have your teen try to mix up their own recipes to serve.
#3: Get Competitive
Game nights are a great go-to for bad weather weekends. Ditch the classic games like Clue and Monopoly at your next game night and try out some of these more age appropriate board games for teens. Task them with reading the rule book and teaching the rest of the family rules.
Coup: A 2-6 player game of deception. Games are a quick 15 minutes, but your teen will be begging to play another round, I promise!
Code Names: A team based game that involves getting other players to guess word cards based on one word clues given by the spymaster. The assassin card (which immediately ends the game) raises the stakes!
Telestrations: A low pressure game that will have the whole family laughing. Think telephone but with drawing!
